How to Recover Files Deleted from Recycle Bin on Windows?

When you delete items such as files, photos, folders, etc., they are generally placed into the Recycle Bin on a Windows PC. Recycle Bin works as a ‘holding bay’ for the items deleted using only the ‘Del’ key. These items remain in the Recycle Bin for up to 30 days. After 30 days, the Recycle Bin gets empty, and the files get lost permanently.

However, there is a catch. If you deleted your files and other data using the Shift + Del key, the files would not be found in the Recycle Bin. They will be gone permanently. Hence, it is suggested to be careful while getting rid of unwanted data. While deleting some of your unnecessary or junk files, you may mistakenly lose your essential data.

So, if you have deleted your files, try the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) methods shared in this blog to recover deleted files on Windows PC. We also share some preventive measures to avoid file loss in the future!

Recover Deleted Files from Recycle Bin

If the files are deleted only with the ‘Del’ key, we suggest you open your Recycle Bin first and check if the deleted files are there.

1. If you find your files there, right-click on them and click Restore.
2. The files will be retrieved to the location from where you deleted them in the first place.

However, if you empty the Recycle Bin or use the Shift+ Del key to delete files and other data, they are permanently deleted. You won’t be able to find them in the Recycle Bin. To recover those files, follow the methods shared below.

Recover Files Deleted from the Recycle Bin

If the files are lost due to the above-shared reasons, the files will become inaccessible to you. Don’t fret! You can still recover deleted files from the Recycle Bin on Windows by following the given methods:

#1. Use File Backup

You can quickly recover files deleted from the Recycle Bin easily if you have a backup. Many people keep a backup of their important files, folders, documents, photos, and more using an external storage drive or Windows built-in backup utilities such as File History, Backup & Restore, and Previous Versions. If you have used any of these facilities to back up your files, you may quickly recover deleted data.

#2.  Recover deleted files with Windows Data Recovery Software

You may quickly recover files deleted from the Recycle Bin on a Windows PC using Stellar Data Recovery software. This DIY Windows data recovery tool can restore deleted documents, email files, photos, videos, and more. It makes Recycle Bin recovery possible and helps you retrieve lost or deleted files and folders on your Windows PC, laptop, or any external storage media. It also supports data recovery from formatted, corrupted, encrypted, and RAW drives. To recover files deleted from Recycle Bin, you need to run this software on your Windows PC from which you lost your data and scan the affected drive/location to retrieve the files. Follow the below steps and learn how to recover files deleted from the Recycle Bin:

• Download, install, and run Stellar Data Recovery on your PC.
• Launch the software, and you will see the ‘Select What to Recover’ screen.
• From the ‘Select What to Recover’ screen, select either ‘Everything’ or the type of files you want to retrieve.
• Click Next to proceed. Afterward, the ‘Recover from’ screen will appear. You will have to select the location/drive from which you delete the files.
• After selecting the drive/location, click Scan.
• Once the scanning process is completed, all the lost files will display on the screen under three panes, i.e., File Type, Tree View, and Deleted List.
  h. Find your files in the Deleted List, select the ones you want to retrieve, and click recover.
• Now, click Browse to choose the desired location to save the retrieved files from the drop-down list.
  Once done, click Start Saving to store the recovered files.

[Note: Don’t choose the same drive (from which you deleted the files) as the storage location. Always use an external storage drive or another location on your Windows PC to avoid data overwriting.]

Preventive measures to avoid permanent file loss!

There are a few tips we would like to share with you that may help you prevent file loss in the future, given as follows:

• Immediately stop using the drive from which you lost your files and other data to prevent data overwriting. When you delete files, the space becomes available. However, the file remains there and can be recovered. But if you keep adding more data to it, space will be overwritten, and the files will not be recovered even with the help of a data recovery tool.
• Always keep your PC/laptop virus-free, as a virus may create havoc on the system. Run the latest antivirus program to detect any virus on your PC and get rid of it. This way, you will save your data and keep your PC in good health. So, always use an updated Antivirus program on your PC and keep using it frequently.
• Take a backup of your data regularly. Keeping a backup is the easiest way to get back access to the lost files, documents, and more.
• Always keep a robust and reliable data recovery tool handy so that you can quickly restore your lost or deleted files.

Conclusion

The blog outlined some best methods to recover files from Recycle Bin on a Windows PC. Retrieve the deleted files from the Recycle Bin if they got deleted only using the Del key. However, if you mistakenly emptied the Recycle Bin or deleted the files using the Shift + Del key, you may use your Backup to recover files deleted from the Recycle Bin. Even if there’s no backup, Recycle Bin recovery is still possible with a data recovery tool such as Stellar Data Recovery. This DIY software can help you extract data even from formatted, corrupted, or encrypted storage devices.